Who makes a difference?

Nominate an individual or team for a teaching award

Information

The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching and Learning (OCTAL) are presented each year to staff members who have made major contributions to teaching and learning excellence within the University of Wollongong.

Alongside the overall OCTAL, a series of specific category awards for teaching and learning are also presented that recognise staff commitment, achievement and contribution to the University’s exceptional learning and student experience.

Application Process for Successful Nominees

1. Nomination and Recognition

Individuals or teams with two or more valid nominations and an endorsement from their Faculty or Division will receive a DVCA Recognition of Learning and Teaching. This certificate marks strong learning and teaching practice and will be provided to each Faculty for dissemination.

Nominees will also be invited to develop and submit an application for an OCTAL, that demonstrates their contribution to student learning. Applications take the form of a portfolio and provide a strong scaffold for future award submissions in the national space.

Nominations are valid for up to five years, with consideration of career breaks.

3. Acceptance Form

Nominees wishing to engage in the OCTAL application process are asked to signify their intent to submit an application by completing the Nominee's Acceptance Form.

This will ensure that you are provided with support during the application process. However, it is understood that this acceptance does not commit you to the submission of an application.

4. About the Application Process

Nominees wishing to be considered for an OCTAL Award must complete a portfolio addressing the selection criteria. Portfolios should also include a completed and signed Application Form. The next round of portfolios are due 5 February 2020.

There are a range of awards for academic, sessional and professional staff. All applicants should consult the Application Instructions and Support for Applicants documents below.

Work through the above Support for Applicants documents to help think through each criterion, your case, evidence and support materials

Consider chatting with a past OCTAL Award Recipient about their experiences and what advice they may have to share

Think about talking to a WATTLE member or a member of the assessment panel

5. Checklist

There are a number of application components that must be included in your portfolio for submission. Use the Applicant Checklist to ensure that you have included all the necessary components and adhered to the page limits. Any additional information and pages will be removed prior to assessment.

6. References and Head of Unit/Course Coordinator Report

References:Applicants are required to include two references as part of their portfolio submission. Referees can be internal or external to UOW and should be provided by people who are able to comment on your performance against the selection criteria.

References should be one single A4 page on official company letter head and signed.

Head of Unit/Course Coordinator Report:Applicants are required to include one report from their Head – this may be a Head of Unit/Faculty/School. For sessional staff, this may be provided by your Course Coordinator.

NOTE: Your Head’s Report may be used as a second reference. E.g. you may choose to submit two references and one Head’s Report OR one reference and one Head’s Report.